We would like to proudly congratulate ESL Credit Teacher Grace Jesus and Guidance Counsellor David Grilli on earning HWCDSB Director's Awards!

From the board's website:

“Stars in the world” is how Director of Education David Hansen described the recipients of the 2018 Director’s Awards for Outstanding Dedication to Students and Staff at an awards reception on May 16.

This year’s celebration not only recognized 79 individuals from all schools and work sites, but from all job categories and work areas.

Indicating that they were chosen for the honour not by their principal, but by their co-workers, Hansen said, “I think that’s what makes this more special.”

“Look at the names we honour this afternoon. We know you. We know what your colleagues see in you and how deserving you are of this award – even if you don’t always see it in yourself.”

“You truly represent the best of our system.”

The Director’s Awards were established many years ago to recognize on an annual basis one or two staff members from each school who promote Catholic values through example, exhibit excellence in their work, achieve exceptional results in their duties, give generously of their time, and serve as role models and sources of inspiration to their colleagues.

Congratulating the award recipients, Chairperson Patrick Daly stressed the importance of recognizing, as often as possible, those who provide outstanding service to students and, in special ways, to staff.

Citing Albert Schweitzer who once famously said, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing,” Daly said that, similarly, from a Catholic vision of life, “Christian witness is not the main thing, it is the only thing.”

“For me, that’s what we celebrate this evening. We give thanks to each and every one of you for the influence you have provided to your colleagues who selected you, but more than that, for the influence and significant difference you have made in the lives of countless students in our schools.”

That influence and difference was on display earlier in the day at a Grad Mass for graduating secondary students – the end point of the award recipients’ work. The mass was celebrated by Bishop Douglas Crosby who spoke about gratitude as a fundamental teaching of Jesus Christ.

Looking out at the award recipients, Hansen said, “This our opportunity to say to you, simply, thank you. Thank you for the service and for what you mean.”

“In your everyday work, you have made a difference through your actions and through your works.”

“On behalf of everyone at the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, we thank you for what you mean for our system, what you mean for each other, and what you mean for our kids.”